Is the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander a bad year?
196 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Uplander years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander are in line with other Uplander years. Body structure and latches and locks stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 Uplander owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 45,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 45 (23%) | 22k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 45 (23%) | 10k–52k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 57 (29%) | 12k–102k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 15 (8%) | 19k–70k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Exterior lighting | 13 (7%) | 10k–66k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 13 (7%) | 20k–68k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 11 (6%) | 22k–62k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 9 (5%) | 20k–59k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 13 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 45,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 196 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 16 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Feb 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander: 4
The braun corporation has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2005-2008 general motors mobility conversion, handicapped accessible low floor minivans. During conversion, the driver or passenger side trailing arm modification may not have been adequately welded. A squeaking or clunking noise may develop. The trailing arm bushings may prematurely wear and the trailing arm may fracture or separate, allowing the rear axle to become partially separated from the chassis increasing the risk of a crash.
A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area. A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' to meet the standard, the vehicle must not move for five minutes when stopped on a steep hill with the parking brake applied and the vehicle in neutral (N). When the parking brake is released, the driver may notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle.
On certain minivans, the outboard release handle on the impact-side second-row bucket seat may be actuated and the rear latches may unlatch early in a side impact crash. This was discovered in a side impact test run by GM, under conditions similar to nhtsa's new car assessment program (Ncap) side impact test. If the rear latches of the seat release early in a severe side impact, the front outboard latch may disengage and increase the potential for injury to the occupant of the seat.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 166
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Power sliding door
Power sliding door opening
Electrical harness damage
Neighbouring years
2006 Uplander: 158 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Uplander year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · All Uplander years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander a bad year?
196 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Uplander years. At 45,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (45), latches and locks (45), electrical system (57), brakes (15), exterior lighting (13).
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Uplander have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 10V-110), Steering (NHTSA 09E005000), Parking brake (NHTSA 05V-287), Seats (NHTSA 05V-061). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.